Duke and Jessica Alvey own several businesses in Hanksville under the name of Red Desert Inc. Red Desert employs 58 residents of Wayne County, who all live in Hanksville, a small town with only 219 residents, making Red Desert the employer of more than one-quarter of Hanksville’s population. It is also the largest supplier of tourism-based goods and services in Wayne County.
The Alveys actively participate in various programs and training to add value to their businesses. They have also enrolled their employees in training to teach them how to deliver the best customer service possible. They are always looking for ways to improve their businesses, and it reflects not only on their business, but their community as well.
One of their businesses, Stan’s Burger Shak, was opened in a little room to the side of Johnson’s Grocery Store in Hanksville in 1984. As the popularity of Lake Powell grew, so did the reputation of Stan’s old-school burgers, shakes and onion rings.
Soon after opening, Stan and his son Dennis — known as Duke — began construction of the new “Shak” just down the road at the intersection of highways 24 and 95. This proved to be a profitable move as Lake Powell enthusiasts from all over flocked to their doors. Soon Stan saw the need for lodging in Hanksville and built the Whispering Sands Motel in 1992. In 1996, Stan and his wife Deena built Stan’s Chevron.
In 1998, Duke and Jessica formed an S corporation called Red Desert Inc. and Stan’s Burger Shak became a DBA of that corporation. By 2001 Stan’s Burger Shak had far outgrown its facility and was moved to a new location by adding onto the Chevron station. In July of 2005, Stan and Deena were ready to retire and began leasing Stan’s Chevron to Red Desert Inc. In 2010, Red Desert Inc. took over management of the Whispering Sands Motel by entering into an agreement to purchase that property as well. In 2013, Red Desert Inc. entered a lease/purchase agreement for the only full-service restaurant and campground in Hanksville. On April 1, 2013, Duke’s Slickrock Grill and Campground opened for business.
The Alveys not only offer employment to their small community, but also give their time and talents in several civic duties, from being EMTs and members of the Search and Rescue to serving on the Wayne Community Health Clinic Board and the Wayne County Business Association Board.
They contribute to organizations and Wayne High School programs including the WHS Scholarship Fund. Stan’s Burger Shak also offers high school student employees a scholarship to be used toward their education or a mission.
Red Desert Inc.’s main objective is to increase the quality of living in Hanksville. The Alveys believe that the health of any community improves with better employment. As the quality of goods and services improve in Hanksville, the stronger the economy becomes.
Since 2012, the Alveys have participated in training and consultation offered by the Utah Small Business Development Center located at Snow College and qualify as long-term counseling clients.